Massages are always good for babies and the majority of moms massage their little darling before they give them a bath. It is also the time when the mother-baby bond is strengthened. It is observed that massages calm down babies and help them sleep better which has a positive impact on their growth and health. What about using olive oil for a baby’s massage?
Many online communities regularly engage in intense debate about which baby massage oil is best for massaging babies. Olive oil is one of the most common oils that have been used worldwide for baby massage. Given below are all the facts that you need to know about olive oil and how beneficial it is for baby massage.
In This Article
- What Is Olive Oil?
- How To Massage Your Baby With Olive Oil?
- 3 Amazing Benefits Of Olive Oil For Your Baby’s Massage
- Precautions While Using Olive Oil To Massage Babies
- FAQ’s
What Is Olive Oil?
Olive oil is prepared by processing whole olives that are fruits of tree crops commonly found in the Mediterranean Basin. It is prepared using a mechanical process and the oil that does not pass through any kind of chemical treatment is called virgin olive oil. Extra virgin oil is oil that is extracted straight from the fruit which is totally free of any disease and plucked at the right time and processed immediately.
Given below are some key benefits of olive oil when used as a massage oil for babies:
- Olive oil has been found to be helpful in making your little one’s skin smooth, healthy, and shiny. This oil acts as a wonderful moisturizer for your little one’s skin.
- Olive oil has regenerative properties and is helpful in keeping the skin toned.
- Olive oil is loaded with fats that are healthy, phenolic antioxidant Vitamin E, oleic acids, and squalene which are all extremely important in the maintenance of skin tone and also vital in promoting muscle and bone health.
- The good news is that this oil can be used all through the year, regardless of cold or hot weather.
- As mentioned earlier, massaging with olive oil helps to calm the baby and ensures he gets proper sleep and thus helping to improve his overall health.
How To Massage Your Baby With Olive Oil?
For massaging your baby with olive oil, all you need to do is take an equal amount of water and olive oil in a bowl and mix it well. Start massaging your little one with this mixture for around 15-20 minutes. Give your baby a nice warm bath after this. Make sure that you wash your little one thoroughly after you give him a massage with olive oil to ensure that there are no residue rashes.
3 Amazing Benefits Of Olive Oil For Your Baby’s Massage
Following are three amazing benefits of olive oil for baby’s massage:
1. Olive Oil Is A Perfect Remedy For Cradle Cap
Olive oil is found to be excellent in curing cradle caps in babies. A cradle cap is actually a kind of dandruff prevalent in newborn babies. This oil hydrates your baby’s scalp and helps to get rid of that flaky layer of skin that is there on your little one’s head.
- For this first apply some olive oil on your little one’s scalp.
- Massage this area with a soft brush or washcloth and let it remain there for around twenty minutes.
- Suppose the crust is quite thick, let the oil remain overnight.
- Now wash your little darling’s scalp well with Luke warm water and mild shampoo.
- Using a soft comb, slowly remove the loosened crust from the scalp gently.
Olive Oil also helps to nourish and strengthen your baby’s hair and soften the frizzy and dry hair
2. Olive Oil Is Found To Be Excellent For Diaper Rash
Olive oil has been proven to act as a wonderful emulsion averting rashes in babies that occur due to diapers.
- Prepare the emulsion by blending two tbsps of olive oil along with one tbsp of water
- Take this mixture and rub it between your palms and massage gently onto the buttocks and genital area of your baby
- The diaper rash normally disappears within a couple of days, but if the rash persists then check with your doctor
3. Olive Oil For Cough In Babies
It is recommended to use natural home remedies for cough in babies as there are no side effects. Breast milk is the best medicine for your baby when he is sick as it boosts immunity of your baby. Also, a natural rub of olive oil can help in soothing cough symptoms in babies.
For this:
- Make a natural rub by mixing 3-4 teaspoons of olive oil with 2 -3 drops each of eucalyptus, rosemary and peppermint oil
- Rub this mixture on your baby’s chest and back
- Applying this oil rub before putting your baby to bed ensures that your baby sleeps well through the night without the cough bothering him
Precautions While Using Olive Oil To Massage Babies
- Olive oil should not be used to massage your baby if he has extremely dry and chapped skin.
- If your little one is suffering from eczema, olive oil should be avoided.
- Never clean your baby’s ear, naval, or nose with olive oil to avoid any kind of infection.
- Your baby’s skin is extremely sensitive and delicate. So ask your doctor before you start to massage your little one with olive oil to avoid the side effects.
- Olive oil can be allergic to some babies and can cause redness or rashes. So make sure your little one is not allergic to olive oil before massaging him with this oil.
- Ensure you buy the best quality extra virgin olive oil if you are planning to massage your little one with olive oil as your baby deserves nothing but the best.
FAQ’s
1. Is Olive Oil Good For Baby Skin Whitening?
Olive oil is one of the excellent natural oils that aids lightening and brightening your infant’s skin.
2. Can Olive Oil Darkens Baby Skin?
No. None of the oils have that effect on the skin. While most newborns are noticeably fair—sometimes even pink—their skin tones gradually darken over the course of the first year, depending on their race and genetics.
